We help children experience and express themselves through art.
Seanse’s mission is to enable children and youths to experience and express through art. We arrange and support artist residencies, seminars, workshops, and conferences. We are located at Volda University College, and financed by the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research, Møre and Romsdal County, Volda University College, and Arts Council Norway.
We believe in an expanded and improved art practice in education, and the development of partnerships between the arts, schools, and kindergartens. We started and have led the national initiative to bring the Teaching Artist model to Norway since 2012, and were selected to lead the Cultural Rucksack’s country-wide project INK2013 to improve art access for children and youths with special needs. Seanse’s main engagement does however continue to be supporting the production of art for and with children – since 2004 we have hosted more than 100 such productions.
Seanse cooperates extensively with other international actors. With international contributors we arranged the First International Teaching Artist Conference in Oslo in 2012, the Animation and Puppetry Workshop in Volda in 2011, and “The Writing Body” workshop in Tromsø in 2010. In cooperation with Lincoln Center Education, we currently lead an international exchange program for Teaching Artists.
We know that good art programs contributes to children’s development problem solving skills, creativity, critical thinking and ability to adapt. Art is important as a way to reach and deepen understanding and access alternative perspectives. Through sharing our expertise, piloting new art practices, conferences, research, seminars and supporting high-quality productions, we work to improve art for and with children.
SEANSE presents extraordinary conferences! The one I recently attended provided significant learning for participants, including thought-provoking and informational experiences for all involved.
Sarah JohnsonDirector, Weill Music Institute
at Carnegie Hall (New York City, USA)
As an arena for the production of art, Seanse is unique in its combination of a residency, artistic and pedagogic guidance, economic support and providing practice audiences…There is also complete agreement that this role serves a purpose and fulfills a need.
Telemark Research InstituteInfrastruktur for kvalitet? (Norwegian)
Evaluation of Seanse (2012)
– Our stay gave our project a rocket start, we really focused and bonded as a team.
– Major leap in our project’s realization
– Got both financed and booked
– Super helpful!
ArtistsIn their evaluations of Seanse
Phone: 7007 5365
Cell: 930 69 526
Email: mu@hivolda.no
Center Director Marit Ulvund is Associate Professor (PhD) in Theatre, with education from NTNU in Norway, University of Minnesota in the United States, and Queensland University of Technology in Australia. Her PhD thesis is a practice-led study in Echo Theatre, a new theatre method she has developed. The study confirms that while there is potential for Echo Theatre to support the development of performative and narrative competencies in students, the effectiveness of this directly relates to the teacher’s theatre knowledge and skills and didactic attitude towards the students.
Her focus as a researcher and center director revolves around theatre practice, arts in education and art for and with children. Marit has been with SEANSE since its founding, and as director is responsible for the center’s strategic vision, funding, administration and planning.
Mobil: 905 95 459
E-post: sollik@hivolda.no
Karstein is the artistic director of Seanse. He graduated as a preschool teacher and has mime and theater education from Ecole Jaques Lecoq in Paris, Desmond Jones School of Mime, London and the Mime Department at the State Theater School in Amsterdam. He is a choreographer and a stage director and has since 1987 been producing solo performances as well as having large productions under his direction. Solli’s artistic work is often characterized as an intersection between dance, theater and performance. He has been touring in Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, France, Italy, Spain, Hungary, the United States, Brazil and in Chile. Solli is currently a lecturer in the BA study programme at Høyskolen for Dansekunst, Oslo. Since 1997 Solli has been a regular receiver of the Norwegian State Income for Artists.
Phone: 7007 5414
Email: rita.slotteroy@hivolda.no
Artistic and Administrative Advisor. Rita Slotterøy is Lecturer in Arts and Crafts. She has taught at Rolling Hills Prep School, Renaissance School for Arts & Sciences, Palos Verdes Art Center and Manhattan Beach Creative Art Center, Los Angeles, USA. Rita also has experience from the Jugendstilsenteret (Ålesund), the County Museum of Møre and Romsdal , and as a consultant for Cultural School Bag productions. As an artist, she has had commission work for Manhattan Beach Studios and Blue Room Post in California, USA. She has studied at Telemark University College and West LA College, Los Angeles, USA.
Chairman:
Ingunn Welle – Økonomidirektør, Volda University College
Members:
Ragnhild Holsvik – Head of Arts and Culture, Møre and Romsdal County
Aud Folkestad – Dean, Department of Arts, Volda University College
Eric Booth – International art consultant and honorary Teaching Artist, New York
Johannes Joner – Actor, director and Teaching Artist, Oslo Nye Teater
Irene Rosenblom – Leader of the Cultural Rucksack (Nord-Trøndelag County)
Ellen Saur – Associate Professor, NTNU
Annette Saugestad Helland – Animator, illustrator and author
Sissel Midtlid, Arts and Crafts
Øystein Salhus, Music
Gaute Hareide, Film/Photography
Nina Elisabeth Bøe, Drama/Theater
Vibeke Preus Bech, Text/Theater
Magnar Åm, Music
Gunnar Strøm, Animation/Film